Navigating Cancer Care Decisions for Older Adults

Navigating cancer care decisions can be challenging. Older adults may have unique medical and support needs, and a cancer diagnosis adds a layer of complexity to those needs. This guide explores typical barriers to care and highlights potential care settings, including assisted living, home care, and nursing care, to support seniors during their cancer care journey. We also take a close look at the benefits of palliative and hospice care to help you choose the best options for your loved one.

Cancer is challenging at any age, but older adults may have added hurdles when it comes to their screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Those barriers can shape care decisions and impact the care and support that they receive.

Older adults may delay cancer screenings for a variety of reasons, even if they know that early detection can make treatment easier and more likely to succeed. Common screening barriers include:

• Fear of Results: Some older adults may not feel emotionally prepared to handle everything that comes with confronting a serious illness. 
• Uncertainty About Benefits: Seniors may feel that the screenings will not benefit them and can only lead to anxiety and pain.
• Limited Access to Care: Older adults may have transportation or mobility issues that can make it difficult to keep up with regular screening appointments.
• Lack of Guidance: If a senior's health care provider does not offer strong recommendations for screenings, they may not be aware of their importance.

Older adults can face delays in pursuing a diagnosis and beginning treatment, which can affect health and stress levels for the patient, their family, and their caregivers. Common barriers include:

• Symptoms Mistaken for Common Signs of Aging: Symptoms that may indicate cancer, such as fatigue or weight changes, may be incorrectly attributed to aging.
• Multiple Health Conditions: Seniors with other chronic conditions may face more complex medical situations, requiring additional testing, diagnosis, and treatment.
• Age Bias: Some medical professionals may hesitate to recommend aggressive care based on a patient's age rather than on their overall health.
• Complex Medical Systems: Some older adults may find it difficult to navigate multiple appointments, doctors, and paperwork.
• Communication Challenges: Hearing loss or memory issues can make it harder for older adults to understand their options and next steps. 

• Cost Assumptions: Medical professionals and even older adults themselves may believe they cannot afford cancer care options.

Even with a diagnosis in hand, older adults may face challenges that can affect starting or continuing cancer treatments. Barriers may include:

• Concerns About Side Effects: Older adults may worry that treatments like chemotherapy or radiation will be painful or reduce their quality of life.
• Physical Frailty and Fatigue: General weakness or lack of stamina makes therapies harder to tolerate.
• Transportation or Scheduling Issues: Older adults may find it difficult to make it to frequent treatments.
• Limited Caregiver Support: Some therapies may require home care, which could be challenging for someone with limited caregiver support. 

Choosing the best care setting ranks among the most important cancer care decisions for older adults, their families, and their caregivers. The best option depends on each person's health needs, level of independence, treatment plan, and the amount of available support at home. Understanding each type of care setting can help them make the best decision for care and comfort.

There are multiple types of living options for older adults, including independent living communities, memory care facilities, and nursing homes. Each care setting provides a different level of medical support and day-to-day services. Let's take a closer look at each option, including benefits and potential drawbacks.

Assisted living may be an ideal choice for seniors who need help with their activities of daily living (ADLs) but do not require 24/7 medical care. Assisted living works best for seniors with mild-to-moderate mobility challenges who need help with medications and appointments. Common services may include:

• Help with bathing, grooming, and meals
• Medication management
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Social activities and wellness programs

Nursing home care provides 24/7 medical supervision, which often makes it the best choice for seniors with complex medical needs or serious side effects from their cancer treatment. Common services include:

• Round-the-clock nursing care and health monitoring
• Wound care and post-surgical recovery support
• Medication management
• Physical, occupational, and other therapies
• Coordination with doctors and specialist

In-home care and home health care allow older adults to receive the support they need for their cancer treatment while they live in their own home. Those who only need part-time or flexible assistance, along with patients who have family caregivers, often prefer these options. Available services vary based on the patient's support network, but may include:

• Assistance with personal care and daily tasks
• Meal preparation and housekeeping
• Medication management
• Transportation to treatments and appointments
• Companionship and emotional support

Hospice care generally focuses on palliative care and patient comfort. It may occur at home or in a facility and typically applies to those with a terminal diagnosis. Common services may include:

• Pain and symptom control and management
• Nursing visits and other medical support
• Emotional and spiritual counseling 
• Support for family caregivers
• Medical equipment such as beds or wheelchairs, and medications related to comfort care

Finding the right assisted living facility can make your loved one's cancer care safer, less stressful, and easier to manage. Our Caring Family Advisors can help you book tours and find assisted living within your budget. Reach them for free assistance at (800) 558-0653. Our Family Advisors are here to help.

There are several national assisted living and nursing home chains that offer cancer care services. These facilities provide cancer care in addition to standard assisted living care or nursing care services, as outlined above.

The table below includes some of the top national assisted living and nursing home chains providing cancer care in the United States.

Unsure where to start your search? Our Caring Family Advisors can help you book tours and find assisted living options that fit your needs and, more importantly, your budget. Start your free consultation today at (800) 558-0653.

 

Palliative and hospice care keep patients comfortable and aim to improve their quality of life by alleviating pain and discomfort. Palliative care can occur at any stage of a patient's cancer journey, alongside other treatments. Palliative care may include:

• Pain and symptom management
• Support for fatigue, nausea, anxiety, or depression
• Coordination among doctors and other health care professionals
• Emotional and spiritual support for patients and families

There are several ways to pay for palliative care, potentially including long-term care insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, or veterans' benefits. When comparing hospice care vs. palliative care for cancer patients, there are several key differences to consider.

Patients typically receive hospice care when the cancer no longer responds to curative treatment. At this point, services shift to primarily ensuring comfort and dignity for the patient at the end of life. Services may include: 

• Pain and symptom control
• Nursing visits and 24/7 on-call support
• Emotional and spiritual counseling
• Help for family members and family caregivers
• Medical equipment and comfort medications. 

Patients can receive hospice care in the home, a senior living community, or a hospital. Caring's End-of-Life Care Guide covers common steps to take if your loved one is nearing the end of their life.

The links listed below offer help with finding hospice care in the United States. These resources include organizations that provide education about hospice care, access to directories of registered hospice agencies, and support in finding an ideal hospice service. 

• Hospice Outcomes and Patient Evaluation: This resource, provided by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), offers insights into common clinical, psychological, and emotional issues faced by hospice patients.
• Hospice Benefit Toolkit: This CMS tool helps cancer patients understand hospice benefits provided by Medicare and Medicaid. 
• Hospice Foundation of America: HFA offers helpful tools, including a hospice knowledge quiz and a comprehensive guide for choosing the right hospice provider.
• CaringInfo: A program of the National Alliance for Care at Home, this site has guides and resources to educate and empower patients and their caregivers to make the right decisions, including for end-of-life care.

It can feel overwhelming to make cancer care decisions for yourself or a family member. Understanding common barriers and care options can help you find the right provider for your loved one. From early screening to end-of-life care, it's possible to find the right living situation and support services to allow the cancer patient to live comfortably. With the right information and help, families can make thoughtful choices to support their loved one's medical care and everyday well-being.

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